A bipartisan group of lawmakers is championing a bill aimed at enhancing transparency in the records of cat and dog breeders within the state of Minnesota. Currently, information pertaining to inspections, violations, or license issues is considered private data under existing legislation. The proposed bill seeks to rectify this by mandating the Board of Animal Health to make such information accessible to the public, aligning it with the disclosure rules applicable to shelters. Advocates argue that the current disparity creates an inconsistent standard for breeders.
Senator Bonnie Westlin, DFL-Plymouth, emphasized during a news conference on Wednesday that, in the last five years, state inspectors issued 47 violations to licensed breeders. However, due to current privacy regulations, Minnesotans are unable to identify who was cited and for what reasons. Westlin stressed the importance of empowering consumers to make informed decisions about the pets entering their homes, acknowledging the substantial emotional and financial investments associated with bringing a pet into a family.
Originally, the proposed legislation mandated the Board of Animal Health to publish online inspection reports dating back three years for each breeder, including the number of animals sold in the previous calendar year. However, an amendment introduced during a Senate committee session on Wednesday scaled back this requirement to only disclose the names of breeders. Despite this amendment, Minnesotans will still have access to additional information upon request.
In 2014, the state legislature approved a law licensing commercial dog and cat breeders with the primary aim of safeguarding the well-being of animals. However, this legislation rendered the relevant data private, a status it has maintained since its enactment.
The Minnesota Pet Breeders Association has expressed opposition to the proposed measure. In a letter addressed to the Senate agriculture committee, the association argued that the bill would “violate the spirit of the commercial breeder law.” The association contended that maintaining data privacy is crucial to prevent interference from individuals or groups opposing pet breeding or animal ownership, emphasizing the responsible practices adhered to by both professional and hobbyist breeders in compliance with the law.
